The Thing in the Portal (KotS Spoilers)

[pukunui]

Hi all,

What is an unknown Cthulhu-esque tentacled horror doing coming out of a portal to the realm of the undead? It seems to me like it would be more appropriate for a portal to the Far Realms. I know some demons are supposed to be tentacled and bizarre, but I would've thought that a temple to Orcus would have some grotesque undead thing. Not something that looks like it's being someone by mindflayers.

I'm planning on changing it so the portal has a bunch of skeletal arms reaching out of it rather than tentacles. I won't change any of the mechanics, though. I just think something that looks undead fits better in the context than something that looks like Cthulhu.

Anyone else feel this way?

Cheers,
Jonathan

 

[helium3]

seems reasonable.

 

[Oompa]

Hi all,

What is an unknown Cthulhu-esque tentacled horror doing coming out of a portal to the realm of the undead? It seems to me like it would be more appropriate for a portal to the Far Realms. I know some demons are supposed to be tentacled and bizarre, but I would've thought that a temple to Orcus would have some grotesque undead thing. Not something that looks like it's being someone by mindflayers.

I'm planning on changing it so the portal has a bunch of skeletal arms reaching out of it rather than tentacles. I won't change any of the mechanics, though. I just think something that looks undead fits better in the context than something that looks like Cthulhu.

Anyone else feel this way?

Cheers,
Jonathan

Well.. shadowfell isnt undead only, all kinds of dark creatures inhabit it..

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Actually...that's a really good point, and would fit the kind of 'undead' vibe much better than the tentacles. Hmmm - thanks for putting that up, you've given me some ideas!

Also - if later modules do deal with Far Realms stuff, it'll be much scarier if it's tentacles for the first time, rather than "Ho hum, tentacles again..."

 

[The_Fan]

I'm sure there are tentacled things in the Shadowfell. I was surprised to find none in the MM, however. I don't think it really matters WHAT is on the other side, as long as it's NASTY.

If any player asks, I'll say "Shadow Kraken." If they bring up the fact that's not in the MM and ask what it is, then I'll suggest they just go to the other side of the portal and find out.

 

[Blackrat]

A good point. I'll have to do that myself too. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[Victim]

I didn't really think of it as a tentacled monster on the other side. I figured the barrier on the portal was stretchy, but still holding. So pretty much anything attempting to reach out from the other side would look sort of like a tentacle.

 

[Rechan]

I didn't really think of it as a tentacled monster on the other side. I figured the barrier on the portal was stretchy, but still holding. So pretty much anything attempting to reach out from the other side would look sort of like a tentacle.

Me too.

Or, I was thinking it was literally the Shadowfell itself; it was pushing out and whipping around, trying to get into our world, period.

But it could just be some sort of shadow entity, as more than just undead live in the Shadowfell.

 

[DangerAbe]

Clearly, the Lasombra Antediluvian is on the other side of the portal, duh.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Clearly, the Lasombra Antediluvian is on the other side of the portal, duh.

Wondered where he went.